Civilization , 1992
Italian Marble; Femur 205 x 73 x 50 cm (81 x 29 x 20 inches), Jaw 111 x 66 x 35 cm (44 x 26 x 14 inches), Scull cap 152 x 109 x 66 cm (60 x 43 x 26 inches), Thumb bones 50 x 25 x 15 cm (20 x 10 x 6 inches), 35 x 27 x 15 cm (14 x 11 x 6 inches), 25 x 17 x 12 cm (10 x 7 x 5 inches), Rib 203 x 27 x 20 cm (80 x 11 x 8 inches), 5 small parts in various sizes
Civilization 
The image is of fragments of human bones, seemingly scattered (arranged) on ground level - 12 fragments in total (beginning weight approximately 7 tons, of Carrara marble), 5 pieces reminiscent of bone chips and 7 specific and recognizable as the brain case/skull cap (Mentality), the top half of the femur (Upright Mobility), the last or bottom floating rib (Breath or Spirit), one half of the jaw (Verbal Communication), and the three sections of the thumb (Dexterity or Industry). These are very obviously human-made in human image and not meant to be understood as gigantic human bones. The field of experience in this work is important, as it is in Reconciliation 1989 and Nine Grains of Rice, 1990.
The psychological authority of scale is also of fundamental importance in this work, where the familiar image scale is changed, and yet the familiar relationship with objects is maintained within the experienced field. The relationship with the thigh bone, for instance, is like that with a fallen tree trunk on which one could sit.
The piece is about history and the passage of time.
Last Update: March 2005
